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EP3936758A1 - Ensemble d'éclairage sous-marin et procédé - Google Patents

Ensemble d'éclairage sous-marin et procédé Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3936758A1
EP3936758A1 EP21184835.3A EP21184835A EP3936758A1 EP 3936758 A1 EP3936758 A1 EP 3936758A1 EP 21184835 A EP21184835 A EP 21184835A EP 3936758 A1 EP3936758 A1 EP 3936758A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
leds
circuit board
row
light
rows
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21184835.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Azur DZINDO
Robert J. Netzel Sr.
William Evans
Michael Mcintyre
Travis Baldwin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc
Original Assignee
Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc filed Critical Pentair Water Pool and Spa Inc
Publication of EP3936758A1 publication Critical patent/EP3936758A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • F21V31/005—Sealing arrangements therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S10/00—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
    • F21S10/002—Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect using liquids, e.g. water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21V19/001—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
    • F21V19/003—Fastening of light source holders, e.g. of circuit boards or substrates holding light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
    • F21V5/007—Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/40—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
    • F21W2131/401—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use for swimming pools
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
    • F21Y2103/10—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2107/00—Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements
    • F21Y2107/40—Light sources with three-dimensionally disposed light-generating elements on the sides of polyhedrons, e.g. cubes or pyramids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2113/00—Combination of light sources
    • F21Y2113/10—Combination of light sources of different colours
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2113/00—Combination of light sources
    • F21Y2113/10—Combination of light sources of different colours
    • F21Y2113/13—Combination of light sources of different colours comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • Underwater pool lights are used in swimming pools, wading pools, fountains and spas for illumination under the surface of water.
  • Conventional underwater lighting systems use a lens to direct the light emitted from a light source, such as an incandescent lamp.
  • a light source such as an incandescent lamp.
  • lensing when the only mechanism used for managing light distribution is lensing, light can be ineffectively dispersed. This is because the index of refraction of the lens is more like that of water than to that of air.
  • lensing has inherent shortcomings including limited beam angles, flare, spherical and chromatic aberrations, etc.
  • conventional underwater lens lighting can achieve some light distribution management by including an air gap between the light source and the back of the lens.
  • the air gap insulates the heat generated by the lamp, which may introduce other challenges.
  • an underwater light that includes a lamp assembly, a tube assembly coupled to the lamp assembly, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly.
  • the lamp assembly can include a housing and a lamp, the lamp having a plurality of lighting elements.
  • the tube assembly can have a substantially hollow interior.
  • the PCB assembly can be mechanically coupled to the tube assembly and electrically coupled to the lamp assembly.
  • Each of the plurality of lighting elements can correspond to a window, and the windows can be arranged on the lamp assembly in a plurality of non-parallel planes. In some instances, each of the windows are arranged on a plane that is not parallel with the plane on which any of the other windows are arranged. In other instances, each of the windows are arranged on a plane that is not coplanar and is not parallel with the plane on which any of the other windows are arranged.
  • the light designed to project light onto a surface.
  • the light includes a housing defining a cavity therein and a first circuit board including a first plurality of rows of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • the first circuit board is located within the cavity defined by the housing.
  • the light further includes a first refractor assembly including a first plurality of rows of refractors, the first refractor assembly being coupled to the first circuit board.
  • the underwater light is configured to produce a first light distribution on a first region of the surface having a first red-green-blue (RGB) ratio, and a second light distribution on a second region of the surface having a second RGB ratio.
  • RGB red-green-blue
  • an underwater light in another embodiment, includes a housing having a substantially dome shaped lens coupled to a back housing through a sealing gasket, the housing defining a cavity therein.
  • a first circuit board including a first plurality of rows of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided and is located within the cavity defined by the housing.
  • a second circuit board having a second plurality of rows of LEDs is also provided and is located within the cavity defined by the housing and is electrically coupled to the first circuit board.
  • a third circuit board having a third plurality of rows of LEDs is further provided and is located within the cavity defined by the housing and is electrically coupled to the first circuit board.
  • the light also includes a first refractor assembly including a first plurality of rows of refractors, the first refractor assembly located adjacent to the first circuit board, a second refractor assembly having a second plurality of rows of refractors located adjacent to the second circuit board, and a third refractor assembly having a third plurality of rows of refractors located adjacent to the third circuit board.
  • the underwater light is configured to produce a first light distribution on a first region of a surface having a first red-green-blue (RGB) ratio, a second light distribution on a second region of the surface having a second RGB ratio, and a third light distribution on a third region of the surface having a third RGB ratio.
  • RGB red-green-blue
  • FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an underwater light 10 according to one embodiment.
  • the underwater light 10 is designed to be at least partially submerged under a body of water in an aquatic application, such us, for example, swimming pools, wading pools, fountains, spas, and other aquatic applications.
  • the underwater light 10 can include two interconnected portions provided in the form of a lamp assembly 12 and a tube assembly 14.
  • the lamp assembly 12 and the tube assembly 14 can be joined together by various joining methods, such as, for example, ultrasonic, vibratory, hot plate, laser welding, or the like.
  • the lamp assembly 12 and the tube assembly 14 include corresponding parts of a mechanical coupling.
  • one of the lamp assembly 12 or the tube assembly 14 can include a first half of a hermetically sealing, one-way snap fit joint, and the other of the lamp assembly 12 and the tube assembly 14 can include a second, corresponding half of the one-way snap fit joint.
  • the lamp assembly 12 and the tube assembly 14 can be manufactured and manipulated independently, and then joined via the snap fit joint in a substantially water-tight configuration for use underwater.
  • the lamp assembly 12 can include a lamp housing 22 and a lamp 24.
  • the lamp housing 22 can include an integrating disc 26 and a lamp attachment fitting 32.
  • the integrating disc 26 is designed to provide an exterior face of the underwater light 10.
  • the integrating disc 26 is provided in the form of a substantially dome shaped sidewall 27 with a plurality of cutouts 28 that correspond to the physical arrangement of a plurality of lighting elements 30. When assembled, each of the lighting elements 30 extends through the corresponding cutout 28 of the integrating disc 26.
  • the integrating disc 26 can act as a shell or mask that covers and is positioned over the lamp 24.
  • the integrating disc 26 includes seven openings that are each sized and shaped to receive the corresponding lighting element 30.
  • the integrating disc 26 can include a variety of decorative ornamentation to enhance the visual appeal of the underwater light 10.
  • the lamp housing 22 can also include the lamp attachment fitting 32.
  • the lamp attachment fitting 32 is provided in the form of a ring 33 that is designed to mechanically couple the lamp assembly 12 to a niche or other underwater lighting or plumbing fixture of a pool, spa or other body of water, such as a return fitting.
  • the lamp attachment fitting 32 and the integrating disc 26 each include a rotatable coupling structure designed to interact with each other.
  • the lamp attachment fitting 32 and the integrating disc 26 can, therefore, be rotatably secured to an underwater lighting fixture and provide rotational positioning during installation. It is generally known that conventional pool and spa lighting fixtures installed during pool construction, for example, may have non-ideal rotational positioning. Due to the directional lighting features of the present invention, the integrating disc 26 and the lamp attachment fitting 32 allow for rotational movement until the underwater light 10 is secured into its final position.
  • the lamp 24 includes a plurality of lighting elements 30, each having a window 34.
  • Each of the lighting elements 30 preferably includes at least one light emitting diode ("LED").
  • the lighting elements 30 are spatially arranged such that none of the windows 34 are coplanar. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 , none of the windows 34 are positioned on a plane that is parallel to the plane on which any of the other windows 34 are positioned.
  • the positioning of the lighting elements provides an array of directional lighting sources that, when energized, provide a highly uniform distribution of lighting intensity and chromaticity across at least partially underwater illuminated pool and spa surfaces.
  • 1-3 shows seven lighting elements 30 in a specific arrangement, other quantities and arrangements of the lighting elements 30 are contemplated, including those discussed hereinbelow, to provide wider or narrower distributions of light if desirable.
  • some embodiments include three non-coplanar, non-parallel lighting elements and some embodiments include eight or more lighting elements.
  • each of the lighting elements 30 includes a circuit having at least one LED.
  • each lighting element 30 can be arranged within a LED carrier 36 formed in a generally cuboid shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
  • the LED carriers 36 can be coupled to a carrier frame 38, which holds each of the lighting elements 30 in the desired relative spatial position with respect to the other lighting elements 30.
  • the LED carriers 36 can be made of a thermoplastic material and may be optically clear, translucent, transparent, or some other opacity to further optimize visible light transmission.
  • the LED carriers 36 can employ a selectively semi-opaque material or coating to provide partial diffusion of the lighting source. Further, although shown as a cuboid in FIGS. 1-3 , the LED carriers 36 can be formed as any number of polygonal three-dimensional shapes or as ovoids.
  • the LED carriers 36 are exposed to the underwater environment and are designed to protect the internal circuitry of the underwater light 10 from water exposure. Accordingly, the circuit of the lighting element 30 can be mechanically coupled to the respective LED carrier 36 in a variety of ways to create a substantially waterproof barrier between the lighting elements 30 and the wet environment.
  • printed circuit boards are fully encapsulated within the respective LED carrier 36 by a single or multiple-layer material, such as, for example, thermoplastic, and are affixed directly to the internal side of the window 34 of the respective LED carrier 36.
  • the LED carriers 36 thus, provide mechanical, thermal, and electrical protection of the lighting elements 30 while simultaneously enabling transmission of light with varying wavelength and chromaticity.
  • printed circuit boards are affixed to a portion of the tube assembly 14.
  • the tube assembly 14 can provide mechanical, thermal, and electrical protection of the lighting elements 30.
  • the lighting elements 30 can be configured to produce a variety of light intensities, colors, sequences, and patterns.
  • the underwater light 10 can produce light consisting of one of five different fixed colors.
  • the underwater light 10 can produce one of seven pre-programmed color shows by selectively energizing one or multiple LEDs at a specified time with a specified drive current.
  • the lighting elements 30 can be grouped into channels designated for a specific color such as red, green, blue, and white.
  • the device when configured as a white-only unit, can produce light consisting of one chromaticity and three different intensity levels.
  • the white-only unit can produce monochromatic "cool white" light (e.g., generally known as about 6500K color temperature).
  • the white-only unit may employ LEDs producing monochromatic "warm white” light (e.g., generally known as about 2700K color temperature).
  • the underwater light 10 can employ LEDs producing monochromatic orange light (e.g., about 560 nm wavelength or greater) suitable for some applications.
  • the tube assembly 14 includes a tube housing 40, an end cap 42, and a single printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 44.
  • the PCBA 44 can include at least one LED driver and an embedded microcontroller.
  • the microcontroller can include a processor and memory, which can be used to store, for example, pre-programmed color shows as discussed previously or other performance algorithms.
  • the PCBA 44 is electrically coupled to the lighting elements 30 of the lamp assembly 12, and the PCBA 44 is designed to be positioned within the tube housing 40, which is provided in the form of a substantially cylindrical tube 45 defining an interior portion 46.
  • the PCBA 44 is also electrically coupled to a power source via wiring that extends through a bore 48 in the end cap 42.
  • the tube housing 40 has four substantially perpendicular faces 501-504 (see FIG. 11 ) that could be used to contain the power cord 523 when it is installed by an industry professional to wrap the cord 523 around the body to provide excessive length to allow the light to be maintained out of the water without draining the pool.
  • Overheating during use can be a concern for lighting systems in general.
  • heat generated by the PCBA 44 is dissipated to the surrounding environment by various transfer mechanisms including one or more of convection, conduction, and radiation.
  • heat dissipation can be improved by employing a thermally conductive filler within the tube assembly 14 that encompass the PCBA 44.
  • Some embodiments further contemplate the use of a heat sink.
  • the PCBA 44 can also include a two-terminal solid state thermally sensitive transducer, e.g. a thermistor, which can be used to detect temperature changes within the circuit. The integration of a thermistor may help address concerns of overheating during use.
  • the tube housing 40 is formed with specific geometry, such as the inclusion of cooling fins to improve heat transfer from the housing to the environment. Likewise, conduction through the housing to the environment may be improved by employing a polymeric housing material boasting higher thermal conductivity.
  • the tube housing 40 and the end cap 42 can be formed from a suitable polymeric material, such as thermoplastic, and an elastomeric material, such as rubber, to create a substantially water proof barrier between the electronics of the underwater light 10 (e.g. the lighting elements 30 and the PCBA 44) and the underwater environment.
  • a suitable polymeric material such as thermoplastic
  • an elastomeric material such as rubber
  • the tube housing 40 and the end cap 42 can be connected by joining methods, such as, for example, ultrasonic, vibratory, hot plate or laser welding, or by a mechanical coupling such as a one-way annular snap joint.
  • a sealing element such as epoxy, can be used to create a fluid tight barrier in the bore 48 through which the wiring extends out of the tube assembly 14.
  • a sealing grommet 522 (shown in FIG. 12 ) made of an elastomeric material may be used to create a substantially waterproof barrier with an outer jacket of the power cord 523.
  • the sealing grommet 522 can be inset upon assembly so that it does not protrude past an end cap 521, which would limit the bend radius of the power cord 523, to ensure the sealing surfaces are not altered during installation.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the LED carrier frame 38 and the lighting elements 30 in greater detail.
  • the lighting element 30 includes traces 62 produced from one or more sheets of conductive material, such as steel, copper, or aluminum, which is cut using a conventional method such as die stamping, laser cutting, or waterjet cutting.
  • the lighting elements 30 also include a plurality of LEDs 64 (or LED chips), which are encapsulated with a thermoplastic material into permanent physical and electrical contact with the traces 62 as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the LEDs 64 align with a window 34 of an LED carrier 36 formed through the encapsulation process.
  • the lighting element 30 is robust, resistant to impact, and impervious to the surrounding underwater environment.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an underwater light 110 according to another embodiment.
  • the underwater light 110 can include two interconnected portions provided in the form of a lamp assembly 112 and a tube assembly 114, which can contain one or more electrical components similar to the embodiments described above, e.g. PCBA, thermistor, microcontroller.
  • the lamp assembly 112 includes a lamp housing 122 and a plurality of lighting elements 130, each having two windows 134 that are coplanar and arranged at an angle to one another.
  • Each of the plurality of lighting elements 130 includes a pair of LEDs 164, which correspond to the two windows 134 of each lighting element 130.
  • none of the lighting elements 130 have windows 134 that are coplanar with the windows 134 of another lighting element 130.
  • none of the lighting elements 130 have windows 134 that are positioned on a plane than is parallel to the plane on which the windows 134 of another lighting element 130 are aligned.
  • a top surface 140 of the lamp housing 122 includes a plurality of raised, concentric ridges 142, and a plurality of the windows 134 are positioned on the top surface 140, radially outward from the center of the top surface 140.
  • a plurality of windows 134 are also positioned on the downward sloping outside face defined by a housing skirt 144.
  • a plurality of the pairs of windows 134 can be formed onto a raised surface 146, such that the raised surface 146 is tilted at an angle from the plane of the top 140 of the lamp housing 122 to protrude outwardly from the top surface 140. Some of the raised surfaces 146 can be tilted toward the center of the top surface 140, and some can be tilted away from the center of the top surface 140.
  • the positioning of the lighting elements 130 provides an array of directional lighting sources that when energized, provide a highly uniform distribution of lighting intensity and chromaticity across illuminated pool and spa surfaces.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of an underwater light 210 according to another embodiment.
  • the underwater light 210 includes a lamp assembly 212 and tube assembly 214.
  • the lamp assembly 212 includes a cavity 246 containing a printed circuit board (“PCB") 244 that is encapsulated in a clear, transparent, or translucent potting compound 248.
  • the PCB 244 includes a plurality of LEDs 264, which direct light out from a mouth 250 of the cavity 246.
  • the PCB 244 is electrically coupled to a power source or a PCBA having a microcontroller with a processer and memory.
  • the microcontroller can store pre-programmed color shows as mentioned above with respect to other embodiments.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an underwater light 310 according to a further embodiment.
  • the underwater light 310 includes a tube assembly 314 and a face plate 326 having multiple transparent, elongate windows 334.
  • Each window 334 defines an interior space that contains a plurality of lighting elements 330.
  • the face plate 326 can have a substantially rectangular shape, and the windows 334 are arranged in parallel rows.
  • the windows 334 can extend outwardly from the face plate 326 to form a triangular side profile, as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the lighting elements 330 are positioned inside of the windows 334 such that the light from the lighting elements 330 is directed downward, from a lower edge 340 of the triangular side profile of the windows 334.
  • the light can also be directed at a variety of angles as the face plate 326 is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the tube assembly 314 during installation (e.g. right, left, upward, or any other direction about the longitudinal axis).
  • Each lighting element 330 is either formed integrally with (via thermoplastic encapsulation), or pressed against, or adjacent to, the interior wall of the windows 334. In some instances, the lighting element 330 is positioned directly adjacent (e.g., in direct contact with) the interior wall of the windows 334. The positioning minimizes the travel of light from the lighting elements 330 through air before traveling to the water. In other instances, the lighting element 330 is not positioned directly adjacent to the interior wall of the windows 334 and there is a substantial air gap that provides enough space to utilize lensing to enhance the performance of the lighting element 330.
  • the windows 334 are configured on the face plate 326 such that none of the lighting elements 330 of one window 334 are coplanar with the lighting elements 330 of another window 334.
  • FIGS. 9A, 9B , and 10 illustrate an underwater light 410 according to another embodiment.
  • the underwater light 410 operates within a single hermetically-sealed housing.
  • the housing is provided in the form of a front housing 411 and rear housing 412. Establishing a water-tight connection between the housings may be completed by compression of an elastomeric seal using a circumferential clamping mechanism affixed to an integrating disk 413.
  • the front housing 411 of the lamp may be produced from a material so as to permit visible light transmission.
  • the material may be provided as a borosilicate glass or a polymeric type, for example, that selectively provides mechanical, environmental, and electrical protection.
  • the rear housing 412 may be produced from a highly-corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel. In some forms, the rear housing 412 may be produced from a selective polymeric material boasting elevated thermal conductivity. The rear housing 412 provides a thermal pathway for heat generated by both LED lighting circuits 414 and LED driver circuits 415 to be dissipated to the environment via one of more of direct conduction, convection, and radiation.
  • heat dissipation in the single housing may further utilize heat sinks, thermally conductive fillers, or the like.
  • the rear housing 412 includes a bore 417 through which the electrical wiring extends out of the rear housing 412.
  • a sealing element such as epoxy, can be used to further create a fluid tight barrier.
  • the front housing 411 may be multi-faceted so as to provide a plurality of substantially planar sections 418, or "windows", which correspond to individual arrays of one or more LEDs 416 oriented to provide multi-directional lighting.
  • the windows can utilize lensing techniques and may employ selective levels of opacity to provide light diffusion, similar to methods described for the underwater lights 10, 110.
  • the underwater light 410 includes an intermediate shell 419 that is designed to act as a visual barrier to conceal the PCBAs of the LED circuits 414 and the LED driver circuits 415 and improve visual appeal.
  • the shell 419 may be produced from a polymeric or metallic material with selective reflective properties and of a type and color to minimize stray lighting effects due to internal reflection off of rear housing 412 and the PCBAs of the lighting and driver circuits 414, 415. Additionally, the shell 419 may also further camouflage the underwater light 410 and improve visual integration into the overall pool construction.
  • FIGS. 13-23 illustrate an underwater light 610 according to yet another embodiment. More particularly, the underwater light 610 comprises a face ring 620, a diffuser or lens 630, a sealing gasket 640, one or more refractor or reflector assemblies 650, one or more circuit boards with LEDs 660, a thermal pad 670, and a back housing 680.
  • the underwater light 610 operates within a single hermetically-sealed housing.
  • the housing is comprised of the face ring 620, the lens 630, the sealing gasket 640, and the back housing 680.
  • the lens 630 is provided in the form of a substantially dome shaped structure.
  • the lens 630 can be made of a thermoplastic material and may be optically clear, translucent, transparent, or some other opacity to further optimize visible light transmission.
  • the lens 630 can also be provided as a borosilicate glass or a polymeric type, for example, that selectively provides mechanical, environmental, and electrical protection.
  • the lens 630 can employ a selectively semi-opaque material or coating to provide partial diffusion of the lighting source.
  • the thermal pad 670 can be produced from a selective polymeric material boasting elevated thermal conductivity. Functionally, the thermal pad 670 can act as a heat sink or a thermal filler within the housing.
  • the back housing 680 can be produced from a highly-corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel. The thermal pad 670 and the back housing 680 together provide a thermal pathway for heat generated by the circuit board with LEDs 660 to be dissipated to the environment via one or more of direct conduction, convection, and radiation.
  • One or more circuit boards having LEDs 660 can be provided as lighting elements for the underwater light 610.
  • the circuit boards with LEDs 660 can be provided in the form of a conductive material, such as steel, copper, or aluminum.
  • one or more refractor assemblies 650 can be fitted over the circuit boards 660 to provide optical manipulations to the lights emitted from the circuit boards 660. It is to be appreciated that the LEDs 660 can be integrated with the circuit boards, or the LEDs 660 can be electrically coupled to the circuit boards without being integrated thereto.
  • the underwater light 610 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 14A , 14B , and 15 .
  • the underwater light 610 can comprise of a plurality of circuit board with LEDs 660, each serving as a lighting element.
  • the plurality of circuit board 660 can each face a different direction, ensuring emission of lights at different angles.
  • each of the side circuit boards 660B can be directed at a ⁇ degree angle away (such as 30 degrees) from the main circuit board 660A, as measured from an axis defining a center portion of the main circuit board 660A.
  • each individual circuit board 660 can be electrically coupled to one another via wires 662.
  • only one circuit board 660 is used and the single circuit board 660 can be made out of flexible materials so that the single circuit board 660 can be bent or folded to provide light at different angles.
  • each individual circuit board 660 can have a corresponding refractor assembly 650 fitted over it as shown in FIG. 14A and 15 .
  • the main circuit board 660A is shown in more detail. Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to be able to control a red-green-blue (RGB) ratio generated by a light source.
  • the LEDs 664 can be divided into three rows where each LED 664 is a colored LED.
  • the top row of LEDs 664 from left to right, can be: red, green, red, red, green, red.
  • the middle row of LEDs 664 can be: blue, red, green, blue, red, blue.
  • the bottom row of LEDs 664 can be: blue, green, red.
  • red LED's may be distributed in different positions in the top two rows, whereas three blue and three green LED's may be provided in alternative positions in the top two rows.
  • Other arrangement of LEDs 664 can also be used depending on the desired lighting distribution. Further, the specific arrangement of the LEDs 664 can also depend on other factors such as the number of LEDs 664 and whether the LEDs 664 are driven at the same or different power levels.
  • the refractor assembly 650 for the main circuit board 660A can comprise of one or more individual refractors or reflectors 652. These refractors 652 are fitted over, and adjacent to, the LEDs 664 to provide optical manipulation to the light emitted from the LEDs 664. Referring to FIG. 18 specifically, the refractors 652 can be positioned so that each row of LEDs 664 produces cones of light at different angles. In the exemplary configuration, the top row of LEDs 664 can produce a first cone of light having a beam angle ranging from +a degree to -b degree. The middle row of LEDs 664 can produce a second cone of light having a beam angle ranging from +c degree to -d degree. And the bottom row of LEDs 664 can produce a third cone of light having a beam angle ranging from +e degree to -f degree. Put differently, the light emitted by these LEDs 664, if they are within the + and
  • angles a, c, and e can be about 15 degrees
  • angles b, and d can be about 41 degrees
  • angle f can be about 90 degrees
  • the top row of LEDs 664 from left to right, can be: red, green, red, red, green, red.
  • the middle row of LEDs 664 can be: blue, red, green, blue, red, blue.
  • the bottom row of LEDs 664 can be: blue, green, red.
  • the exemplary configuration results in more red light in the about +15 to about -41 degree cones than in the +15 to -90 degree cone.
  • each row of LEDs 664 does not have to have a same refractor angle. Indeed, refractor angles can be customized to each individual LED 664 or a collection of LEDs 664 depending on the desired lighting distribution.
  • angles a, c, and e can be between about 5 degrees to about 35 degrees (or between 5 degrees and 35 degrees), and angles b, and d can be between about 25 degrees and about 60 degrees (or between 25 degrees and 60 degrees).
  • the angles b, d, and f can be at least twice of angles a, c, and e.
  • the angles a, c, and e can be the same or substantially the same, but in some embodiments, the angles a, c, and e can differ from one another.
  • two of the angles a, c, and e can be the same or substantially the same while the remaining angle is different.
  • the angles b, d, and f can be the same or substantially the same, but in some embodiments, the angles b, d, and f can differ from one another, or two of the angles can be the same while the remaining one differs.
  • the red wavelengths decrease in intensity more than the blue or the green affecting the color temperature observed depending on the distance the light travels in water.
  • the floor of such floor is generally closer to where an underwater light is normally positioned than the opposite or side walls.
  • distance from a light source to a spot on the floor or adjacent wall increases rapidly as the angle between the light source and the spot increases.
  • uniform color in the pool or the spa can be achieved by sending different ratios of red to green and blue light depending on the angle of the light from the source, with less red light directed pointing straight down and straight to the sides and gradually increasing as the angle increases.
  • an underwater light 710 is shown in relationship to a floor 720 or a bottom surface of a pool or a spa.
  • the underwater light 710 can comprise a plurality of lighting elements that can generate lights of different color.
  • the underwater light 710 can comprise of a plurality rows of LEDs, wherein some LEDs are red LEDs, some are green LEDs, and some are blue LEDs.
  • a plurality of regions can be divided so that within each region, there is a different red-green-blue (RGB) ratio generated by the light source 710.
  • RGB red-green-blue
  • a lighting region can be broken into a first region 730, a second region 740, and a third region 740.
  • the RGB ratio within the first region 730 can be 1-1-1 (red to green to blue). Further, the RGB ratio within the second region 740 can be a blend from 1-1-1 to 2-1-1. Moreover, within the third region 750, the RGB ratio can be 1.5-1-1. Providing the underwater light 710 with a RGB ratio that is correlated to an area of a pool (e.g., a spot on the floor 720) results in the color generated by the underwater light 710 being more uniform.
  • the side circuit board 660B can have a similar physical structure as the main circuit board 660A.
  • the side circuit board 660B can have one or more rows of LEDs 664.
  • the LEDs 664 can be the same or different colors.
  • each side circuit board 660B can have two rows of LEDs 664.
  • the top row of LEDs 664 from left to right can be: red, green, red; and the bottom row of LEDs 664 from left to right can be blue, red, green.
  • the structure described for a single side circuit board 660B has been described herein, the structure is the same, or substantially similar for both of the side circuit boards 660B that are described herein.
  • a refractor assembly 650 having one or more refractors 652 can be fitted over the side circuit board 660B.
  • the refractors 652 when viewed from a side, can be used to create cones of light having beam angles ranging certain + and - angles.
  • angles g and i can be about 12 degrees
  • angle h can be about 50 degrees.
  • the cone of light generated by the top row of LEDs 664 can range from +12 degree to -50 degree.
  • the angles g and i can be between about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees (or between 5 degrees and 30 degrees), and angle h can be between about 35 degrees and about 65 degrees (or between 35 degrees and 66 degrees).
  • An additional side reflector 654 can also be used for the side circuit boards 660B to prevent light from shining backward as shown in FIG. 22 .
  • the side circuit boards 660B can each point 30 degrees away from the main circuit board 660A, and each be tilted 10 degrees toward a bottom surface such as the floor of a pool. It is noted that the dimensions and degrees provided herein are merely exemplary, and many configurations and modifications can be made using the principles and examples described herein.
  • the single circuit board 660C can be made out of flexible materials so that the single circuit board 660C can be bent or folded to provide light at different angles.
  • the single circuit board 660C can include a first plurality of rows of LEDs 664 within a first area 810.
  • the circuit board 660C can further include a second plurality of rows of LEDs 664 within a second area 820, and a third plurality of rows of LEDs 664 within a third area 830.
  • the circuit board 660C can be manipulated so that the second area 820 and the third area 830 each face a horizontal angle away from the first area 810, in similar fashion as to the secondary circuit boards 660B with reference to the main circuit board 660A previously described. Further, the second area 820 and the third area 830 can also be arranged to face a vertical angle away from the first area 810 as well.
  • one or more refractor assemblies 650 can be fitted over, and adjacent to, the first, second, and third plurality of rows of LEDs 664 in similar fashions as to the other embodiments.
  • an improved underwater light is provided by this disclosure.
  • the disclosed underwater light is expected to have improved resistance to impact, improved reliability and more uniform dissipation of heat generated by lighting elements during operation.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
EP21184835.3A 2020-07-09 2021-07-09 Ensemble d'éclairage sous-marin et procédé Pending EP3936758A1 (fr)

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US20230213178A1 (en) 2023-07-06
US20230220986A1 (en) 2023-07-13
US20230220985A1 (en) 2023-07-13
US20220010953A1 (en) 2022-01-13
US20230220984A1 (en) 2023-07-13
US11603986B2 (en) 2023-03-14
US12173884B2 (en) 2024-12-24

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